Adhesive bridge

An adhesive bridge (Maryland bridge) is a type of dental prosthesis that replaces a missing tooth without the use of an implant. This is achieved by anchoring the bridge to the adjacent teeth with thin, wing-like tabs using a special dental adhesive (cement).

• A full tooth replacement without implant placement.
• Quick and conservative installation—with virtually no teeth prepping (shaping).
• Can be placed both temporarily and for a longer term, most commonly on front teeth.
• Looks natural and requires gentle care.
• Lasts for 3–7 years, and sometimes up to 10 years.

When comparing them further, a traditional bridge is considered a stronger structure, but the adhesive method is truly more conservative since it preserves tooth structure. It is mostly suitable for replacing front teeth, as they experience lower chewing loads.

The adhesive method also differs significantly from dental implantation. Implantation involves the surgical placement and subsequent osseointegration of an implant into the jawbone. This is an invasive, longer, and more expensive process. Compared to an implant with a crown on top, an adhesive bridge is painless, simpler to install, and remains a more affordable option today.

Types of adhesive bridges are most commonly categorized by their fabrication method. Therefore, they are classified as follows:

• Direct adhesive bridges (fabricated directly in the mouth)
  Also known as the therapeutic type. These are formed directly during the doctor’s appointment right inside the patient’s mouth. The procedure uses a pre-made artificial tooth placed into the gap of the missing tooth, after which the dentist shapes the necessary connecting “wings” using the same photopolymer (composite) material. Everything is then cured with a special dental lamp until the material hardens, bonding the structure to the adjacent teeth. This type of adhesive bridge is most often used as a temporary option—either before dental implant placement or when the dentition needs to be restored very quickly. In terms of time, it is practically completed in a single dental visit. Its lifespan ranges from 1 to 3 years.
• Indirect adhesive bridges (laboratory-made)
  Also known as the prosthodontic type. This option is fabricated in a specialized dental laboratory based on individual impressions. It is considered more aesthetic and capable of withstanding higher loads. Because of this, it is suitable for long-term prosthodontics, lasting longer—anywhere from 3 to even 7 years. The exact duration depends on daily chewing loads, oral hygiene, and the material from which the bridge is made.
• Combined option
  This is a combination where the prosthesis itself is fabricated in a dental laboratory, but the final adjustments, polishing, and fitting are done by the doctor during the appointment directly in the patient’s oral cavity. This type is used when a strong prosthesis is required along with a highly precise fit tailored to the patient’s bite or other anatomical features. It has an approximate lifespan of 2 to 5 years.

The price of an adhesive bridge also depends on its type. The prosthodontic variant—meaning the laboratory-made one—is considered the most expensive. The combined option usually features a slightly lower price, while the therapeutic type (the ready-made artificial option crafted “directly in the mouth”) is the most affordable today. At the Med-Deo clinic, the prices for an adhesive bridge in Kyiv are truly reasonable, both at the Holosiivska branch and other locations.

Methods of Securing Adhesive Bridges

The actual anchoring of adhesive bridges is done by bonding thin “wings” directly to the adjacent teeth. They are secured using an adhesive—a specialized dental cement. This is how the adhesive dental prosthesis is kept permanently in place. In other words, securing it does not involve invasive (surgical) intervention, unlike a dental implant, for example.

This anchoring method allows adhesive bridges to hold for years, as it provides a reliable and completely safe chemical fixation. The main prerequisites for installing an adhesive bridge are strong and healthy adjacent teeth without very large fillings, healthy gums in the respective area, and an overall correct bite.

An adhesive bridge is installed in stages over a specific period. If it is a universal, therapeutic bridge (such as a temporary one), it takes 1–2 dental visits. If it is an individually fabricated bridge, it takes about 1–2 weeks for laboratory fabrication plus 30–60 minutes for bonding in the dentist’s chair.

1. Oral examination by the dentist and assessment of the condition of the adjacent teeth.
2. Preparation of the adjacent teeth—plaque removal, professional cleaning, and light polishing if necessary.
3. Selection of the bridge—either a pre-made universal option or taking impressions for laboratory fabrication.
4. Trial fitting of the bridge to check aesthetics, bite, etc.
5. If everything is correct—direct adhesive bonding of the bridge to the adjacent teeth.
6. Final polishing and a re-check of its comfortable position in the patient’s mouth—both in terms of feel and aesthetics.

Regarding dental care with an adhesive bridge, it is important not to skip brushing your teeth twice a day and to use dental floss or an oral irrigator. You should also avoid hard foods and biting down on hard objects; if bruxism develops, consult a doctor for a protective nightguard.

Sources:

1. Стандарти медичної допомоги “Хвороби твердих тканин зуба, ортопедичне лікування штучними коронками” -Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 333 dated 02/20/2023.
2. Клінічна настанова “Коронки, незнімні мостоподібні протези та зубні імплантати” – Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 333 dated 02/20/2023 (State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health).
3. Practical advice for successful clinical treatment with resin-bonded bridges
4. Clinical Efficacy of Anterior Ceramic Materials in Resin-Bonded Fixed Dental Prostheses with Different Bridge Designs—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
5. Full-ceramic resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses: A systematic review